POSC1010 Final Review Questions 1-3

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Carey Clemson

Last updated 1:32 AM on 4/20/26
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132 Terms

1
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What goods are available to all without direct payment?

Public goods.

2
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In which form of government does a small group of elite people hold political power?

Oligarchy

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What is the difference between a representative democracy and a direct democracy?

A representative democracy elects officials to make decisions on behalf of the people, while a direct democracy allows citizens to participate directly in decision-making.

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What does government do for people?

It provides order, security, protection of rights, laws, and public services.

5
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The elite theory of government maintains that

Wealthy, politically powerful people control government, and government has no interest in meeting the needs of ordinary people.

6
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According to the pluralist theory of government,

Government policy is formed as a result of the competition between groups with different goals and interests.

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What is a good example of a tradeoff?

The government pleases environmental activists by preserving public lands but also pleases ranchers by allowing them to rent public lands for grazing purposes.

8
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Supporting the actions of the Democratic party simply because one identifies oneself as a member of that party is an example of

Partisanship

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When a person is asked a question about a political issue that person has little interest in and has not thought much about it, the person’s answer will likely reflect

Latent preferences

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What kinds of people are most likely to become active in politics or community service?

People who have higher levels of education, income, and social engagement, often driven by personal interests or issues.

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What political activities can people engage in other than running for office?

Be aware of what’s happening in politics, contribute to a campaign, vote, attend rallies, write letters to congressmen.

12
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British colonists in North America in the late 17th century were greatly influenced by the political thought of

John Locke

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The agreement that citizens will consent to be governed so long as government protects their natural rights is called

Social contract

14
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what key tenants of American political thought were influential in the decision to declare independence from Britain

all people deserve rights to life, liberty, and happiness

15
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what actions by the British government convince the colonist that they needed to declare their independence

Taxation without representation, military occupation, denial of self-government and restrictions on trade

16
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what important power did the national government lack under the articles of confederation?

It could not impose taxes

17
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in what ways did Shays rebellion revealed the weaknesses of the article articles of confederation?

National government couldn't respond effectively or maintain order

18
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according to the great compromise how would representation in Congress be apportioned?

Representation in the House of Representatives would be based on each state's population and every state would have two senators

19
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how did the delegates to the constitutional convention resolve their disagreement regarding slavery?

It was agreed that 60% or 3/5 of the states enslaved population would be counted for purposes of both representation and taxation

20
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what does separation of powers mean?

Different branches of government executive legislative and judicial have different powers and different responsibilities and they must work together

21
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why were the federalist papers written?

To encourage New York to ratify the constitution

22
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what argument did Alexander Hamilton used to convince people that it was not dangerous to place power in the hands of one man?

One man could respond to crisis is more quickly than a group of men like Congress, and it was easier to control the actions of one man than the actions of a group

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why did so many people oppose ratification of the constitution and how was their opposition partly overcome?

Fear of government that was too strong, and it was overcome by the Bill of Rights

24
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how many states must ratify an amendment before it becomes law

3/4 of the states

25
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what is the Bill of Rights

The first 10 amendments to the constitution that protect individual freedoms

26
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what did the 14th amendment achieve?

Citizenship to African-Americans

27
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what core values and belief led to the American Revolution and the writing of the article articles of confederation. How do these value values and beliefs affect American politics today?

Liberty self-government no central power protection of rights. It still shapes debates over federal power, taxation, and civil liberties today.

28
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Was Britain truly depriving colonist of their natural rights

Yes, they lacked representation and face restrictions without consent. Citizens believed it was a tyrannical government.

29
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Did the constitutional Bill of Rights protect a life, liberty and property of all Americans?

They provide strong protections, but many groups were still treated unfairly historically overtime amendments in court rulings expanded protections

30
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was the Bill of Rights necessary addition to the constitution

Yes, a reassured citizens of their rights secured freedom of speech, religion due process

31
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one of the chief areas of compromise at the constitutional convention was the issue of slave slavery, delegates, who oppose slavery have been willing to compromise

Yes, slavery was unfair and cruel

32
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What new amendments should be added to the constitution and why?

Possibly new amendments should be added if they're absolutely necessary

33
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is the federal government to powerful, should states have more power?

National power is necessary for protection, but states should have more power in education and policing

34
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What statement is most accurate about the sources of revenue for local and state governments?

Between 30 and 40% of the revenue for local and state governments comes from grant money.

35
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Which statement about federal and unitary systems is the most accurate?

In a federal system, the constitution allocate powers between states and federal government. in a unitary system, powers are lodged in the national government.

36
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what key constitutional provisions defined the scope of authority of the federal and state governments?

Key constitutional provisions include the Supremacy Clause, which establishes that federal law takes precedence over state law, and the Tenth Amendment, which reserves powers not delegated to the federal government for the states.

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What are the main functions of federal and state governments?

The main functions of federal and state governments include the creation and enforcement of laws, the regulation of commerce, taxation, and the provision of public services such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure.

38
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in McCulloch V Maryland, the Supreme Court invoked which provisions of the constitution?

Necessary and proper clause and supremacy clause

39
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which statement about new federalism is not true

President Reagan was able to promote new federalism consistently throughout his administration

40
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which is not a merit of cooperative federalism

Cooperative federalism respects the traditional jurisdictional boundaries between states and federal government

41
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what are the main differences between cooperative federalism and dual federalism?

Cooperative federalism involves collaboration between state and federal governments, whereas dual federalism emphasizes distinct, separate powers and responsibilities for each level of government.

42
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What were the implications of McCulloch V Maryland for federalism?

Established the doctrine of implied powers, meaning the federal government can create policy instruments deemed necessary and appropriate to fulfill its constitutional responsibilities. The case also affirmed the principle of national supremacy embodied in Article VI of the Constitution, namely, that the Constitution and legitimate federal laws trump state laws.

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which statement about federal grants in recent decades is the most accurate

the amount of federal grant money going to states has steadily increased since the 1960s

44
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which statement about unfunded mandates is false

new federalism promotes the use of unfunded mandates

45
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which statement about immigration federalism is false

The Arizona the United States decision struck down all Arizona's most restrictive provisions on undocumented immigration

46
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what statement about venue shopping is false

Both MADD and anti-abortion proponents redirected their advocacy from the states to the federal government

47
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what does venue shopping mean?

Interest groups trying to get a law passed and states in order to get it passed at the federal level

48
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Pros of federalism

Encourage encourages participation, test policies and laws before they go national, accommodates local viewpoints

49
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cons of federalism

can lead to inequalities, complexity in governance, and potential for conflict between state and federal laws.

50
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What is a direct democracy?

Every citizen votes directly on laws and policies

51
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what is a representative democracy?

A system where citizens elect representatives to make laws and decisions

52
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what is an oligarchy?

A small elite group who holds power and control of the government

53
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what is the pluralist theory

Different interest groups compete, and get things done through engagement

54
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what is the social contract?

An agreement among individuals to form a government, outlining the rights and responsibilities of each party to ensure social order.

55
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Under the articles of confederation, the government couldn't what.

Tax people or regulate commerce

56
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in 1787 the constitutional convention did what

Throughout the articles of confederation and created a bicameral legislature, Congress and a judicial system

57
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Why were the federalist papers written?

To sell the constitution to the public

58
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the constitution was ratified in

1788

59
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the Bill of Rights was added in

1791

60
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what fraction of Congress is needed to expand rights

2/3

61
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what fraction of the states are needed to expand rights

3/4

62
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federalism can be defined as

The division of power between national and state

63
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what is a unitary system?

Central government has all power

64
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what is a confederation

States hold all power

65
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what is a categorical grant?

A funding mechanism where the federal government provides money to states for specific purposes, often with restrictions on how the funds can be used.

66
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What is a block grant?

A large sum of money given by the federal government to state or local governments for broad purposes, allowing more flexibility in how the funds are used.

67
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What is a mandate?

A requirement imposed by the federal government on states or local governments to comply with certain laws or regulations, often without providing funding for implementation.

68
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block grant
federal grant with fewer restrictions on how funds are spent
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categorical grant
federal grant with strict rules on use of funds
70
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concurrent powers
powers shared by state and federal governments
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cooperative federalism
federalism where state and national governments work together
72
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creeping categorization
adding new requirements to grants or replacing block grants with categorical grants
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devolution
transfer of powers from central government to lower levels
74
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dual federalism
federalism where state and national governments have separate spheres of power
75
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elastic clause
necessary and proper clause allowing Congress to carry out enumerated powers
76
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federalism
system with two autonomous levels of government sharing authority
77
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full faith and credit clause
requires states to honor public acts and records of other states
78
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general revenue sharing
grant with minimal restrictions to state and local governments
79
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immigration federalism
state involvement in immigration policy
80
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new federalism
decentralization emphasizing state power and efficiency
81
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nullification
doctrine claiming states can invalidate federal laws
82
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privileges and immunities clause
prevents discrimination against citizens of other states
83
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race-to-the-bottom
states compete by lowering taxes/regulations
84
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unfunded mandates
federal requirements imposed without enough funding
85
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unitary system
centralized government with power concentrated nationally
86
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venue shopping
seeking the most favorable level or branch of government for policy goals
87
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writ of habeas corpus
petition challenging legality of detention
88
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Anti-Federalists
those who did not support ratification of the Constitution
89
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Articles of Confederation
the first basis for the new nation's government; adopted in 1781; created an alliance of sovereign states held together by a weak central government
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bicameral legislature
a legislature with two houses, such as the U.S. Congress
91
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Bill of Rights
the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution; most were designed to protect fundamental rights and liberties
92
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checks and balances
a system that allows one branch of government to limit the exercise of power by another branch
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confederation
a highly decentralized form of government; sovereign states form a union for purposes such as mutual defense
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Declaration of Independence
a document written in 1776 in which the American colonists proclaimed independence from Great Britain
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enumerated powers
powers explicitly given to the federal government by the Constitution
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federal system
a form of government in which power is divided between state governments and a national government
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Federalists
those who supported ratification of the Constitution
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Great Compromise
compromise creating a two-house Congress with House by population and Senate equal by state
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natural rights
rights to life, liberty, and property believed to be inherent
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New Jersey Plan
plan for a one-house legislature with equal state votes